Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has welcomed news that the Federal Government will invest $176 million towards the cost of the River Street Bridge in Dubbo.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton announced on Monday that funding will be forthcoming for the project, as part of a wider road funding program to be announced in the 2020 Budget.
Mr Saunders said the federal investment is a show of faith in a project that will be of immense benefit to the city.
“The allocation of the $176 million from the Federal government shows that this bridge is considered a priority project,” Mr Saunders said.
“As a result of that priority classification, the Federal government is providing 80 per cent of the expected funding, and the state government is now contributing 20 per cent.”
As the scoping for this project has progressed and further community consultation has been undertaken, the expected budget has increased to approximately $220 million, meaning the $176 million from the Federal government will be complemented by $44 million from the state.
“I have maintained all along that the bridge will be a game changer for Dubbo, not only on a day-to-day basis but particularly in the event of a flood when it will provide another high-level crossing of the Macquarie River for local traffic,” Mr Saunders said.
“To have Mark Coulton and the Federal Government throwing their support behind the project in such a big way is terrific, and I thank them for their investment.”